The 20 Best Short Actresses in Hollywood

Short stature has never limited screen presence, and these performers prove it with acclaimed roles, major awards, and marquee franchises. Each one stands at about 5 feet 3 inches or under and has a track record that spans box office hits, prestige projects, or long running series. Here is a quick guide to their heights and the work that put them on the map. Use it to discover where to watch them next and what they are known for.

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon is approximately 5 feet 1 inch tall. She won an Academy Award for her performance in ‘Walk the Line’ and later earned an Emmy as a producer on ‘Big Little Lies’. Her production company has backed female led hits across film and streaming. Many fans first discovered her through ‘Legally Blonde’, which expanded into a lasting pop culture brand.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman is about 5 feet 3 inches tall. She won the Academy Award for ‘Black Swan’ and received additional nominations for ‘Closer’ and ‘Jackie’. She appears in major franchises through ‘Thor’ and balances those with festival favorites. Portman also holds a degree from Harvard and speaks multiple languages, which informs her global career.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson stands near 5 feet 3 inches. She earned twin Oscar nominations in one year for ‘Marriage Story’ and ‘Jojo Rabbit’. Her run as Natasha Romanoff in ‘Black Widow’ helped anchor the Marvel franchise worldwide. She began acting as a child and moved smoothly from indie dramas to large scale action.

Salma Hayek Pinault

Salma Hayek is about 5 feet 2 inches tall. She earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Frida’, which she also produced. Her filmography spans action like ‘Desperado’ and superhero fare with ‘Eternals’. Hayek has produced numerous projects highlighting Latino stories in Hollywood.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster is roughly 5 feet 3 inches. She is a two time Academy Award winner for ‘The Accused’ and ‘The Silence of the Lambs’. Foster began as a child actor and moved into directing with credits that include ‘Money Monster’. She continues to alternate between film work and television appearances.

Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter is about 5 feet 2 inches tall. She earned Oscar nominations for ‘The Wings of the Dove’ and ‘The King’s Speech’. Audiences know her from the Wizarding World through ‘Harry Potter’ and from prestige television in ‘The Crown’. Her career often features collaborations with visionary directors across period dramas and fantasy.

Florence Pugh

Florence Pugh stands near 5 feet 3 inches. She earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Little Women’ and gained breakout attention with ‘Midsommar’. She joined the Marvel universe with Yelena Belova and continued into ensemble blockbusters like ‘Oppenheimer’. Pugh also has stage experience and records music for select projects.

Emilia Clarke

Emilia Clarke is approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall. She became globally known for Daenerys Targaryen in ‘Game of Thrones’. Clarke expanded to film with roles in ‘Solo’ and holiday hit ‘Last Christmas’. She has stage credits in London and New York and supports brain injury charities after surviving medical emergencies early in her career.

Christina Ricci

Christina Ricci is approximately 5 feet 1 inch tall. She broke out with ‘The Addams Family’ and earned acclaim in films like ‘The Opposite of Sex’ and ‘Monster’. Ricci stars in the hit series ‘Yellowjackets’ and appears in ‘Wednesday’. She has also produced independent projects and works regularly in voice acting.

Rooney Mara

Rooney Mara is about 5 feet 3 inches. She earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo’ and later for ‘Carol’. Her filmography includes ‘Her’ and ‘A Ghost Story’ along with festival premieres. Mara co founded a vegan fashion brand and supports global humanitarian initiatives.

Gillian Anderson

Gillian Anderson stands near 5 feet 3 inches. She became widely known for Dana Scully in ‘The X Files’. Anderson went on to prominent roles in ‘The Crown’ and ‘Sex Education’. She has an extensive stage career in London and New York and has published fiction.

Tessa Thompson

Tessa Thompson is approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall. She appears in ‘Creed’ and joins the Marvel franchise through ‘Thor’ titles. Thompson has starred in acclaimed indies such as ‘Sylvie’s Love’ and ‘Sorry to Bother You’. She also produces and records music collaborations tied to select roles.

Amandla Stenberg

Amandla Stenberg is about 5 feet 3 inches. They gained early recognition in ‘The Hunger Games’ and led the film ‘The Hate U Give’. Stenberg stars in the series ‘The Acolyte’ and appears in the ensemble of ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’. They advocate for youth empowerment and representation in media.

Kiernan Shipka

Kiernan Shipka stands around 5 feet 2 inches. She played Sally Draper in ‘Mad Men’ and later led ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’. Shipka appears in thrillers like ‘Totally Killer’ and guest roles across streaming series. She also works in animation voice casts for family projects.

Joey King

Joey King is approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall. She led ‘The Kissing Booth’ franchise and received nominations for ‘The Act’. King continues with action and period titles including ‘Bullet Train’ and limited series work. She produces select projects and collaborates with major streaming platforms.

Lily-Rose Depp

Lily-Rose Depp is about 5 feet 3 inches. She earned attention with ‘The King’ and headlined the series ‘The Idol’. Depp appears in international productions and English language indies like ‘Voyagers’. She also serves as a fashion ambassador and works frequently in European cinema.

Rachel Brosnahan

Rachel Brosnahan stands near 5 feet 3 inches. She won major awards for ‘The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’. Brosnahan appears in films such as ‘I’m Your Woman’ and joins franchise cinema with ‘Superman’. She is active on Broadway and supports arts education programs.

Lea Michele

Lea Michele is approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall. She rose to prominence on ‘Glee’ with multiple soundtrack releases. Michele returned to Broadway in leading roles including ‘Funny Girl’. She publishes books and participates in charitable concerts supporting health causes.

Lucy Hale

Lucy Hale is about 5 feet 2 inches. She became widely known through ‘Pretty Little Liars’. Hale has led additional series like ‘Katy Keene’ and stars in films including ‘The Hating Game’. She records music and appears as a host for live television events.

Demi Lovato

Demi Lovato stands near 5 feet 3 inches. They began as a Disney star in ‘Camp Rock’ and returned to acting in guest appearances while maintaining a music career. Lovato has led documentaries that address mental health and industry pressures. They serve as a judge and mentor on televised competitions.

Camila Mendes

Camila Mendes is approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall. She plays Veronica Lodge in ‘Riverdale’. Mendes appears in features like ‘Palm Springs’ and ‘Do Revenge’. She collaborates with fashion brands and supports anti bullying initiatives.

Jenna Coleman

Jenna Coleman is about 5 feet 2 inches. She earned wide recognition in ‘Doctor Who’ and then led ‘Victoria’. Coleman appears in thrillers such as ‘The Serpent’ and ‘Wilderness’. She works across British theater and audio dramas alongside screen roles.

Sarah Hyland

Sarah Hyland stands around 5 feet 2 inches. She starred in ‘Modern Family’ for multiple seasons. Hyland hosts and produces reality competition series like ‘Love Island USA’. She advocates for organ donation and health awareness after undergoing transplants.

Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande is approximately 5 feet 0 inches tall. She began on television with ‘Victorious’ and returned to screen projects between albums. Grande stars as Glinda in the film adaptation of ‘Wicked’. She mentors on ‘The Voice’ and supports multiple disaster relief efforts.

America Ferrera

America Ferrera is about 5 feet 1 inch. She led ‘Ugly Betty’ and later starred in ‘Superstore’. Ferrera appears in films including ‘Barbie’ and ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ voice roles. She directs and produces through her own banner and supports voter engagement campaigns.

Gina Rodriguez

Gina Rodriguez stands near 5 feet 3 inches. She won a Golden Globe for ‘Jane the Virgin’. Rodriguez appears in projects like ‘Annihilation’ and leads the series ‘Not Dead Yet’. She founded initiatives to help Latino filmmakers with industry access.

Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy is approximately 5 feet 2 inches tall. She broke out on ‘Bridesmaids’ and earned multiple Academy Award nominations. McCarthy led the series ‘Mike and Molly’ and appears in titles like ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?’ and ‘The Little Mermaid’. She also designs a fashion line and produces through a family run company.

Constance Wu

Constance Wu is about 5 feet 1 inch. She starred in ‘Fresh Off the Boat’ and led ‘Crazy Rich Asians’. Wu appears in crime drama ‘Hustlers’ and voices characters in animation. She is an advocate for representation and has published a memoir about her experiences in the industry.

Anna Kendrick

Anna Kendrick is about 5 feet 2 inches. She earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Up in the Air’ and led the musical franchise ‘Pitch Perfect’. Kendrick also starred in ‘Into the Woods’ and the thriller ‘A Simple Favor’. She publishes books and produces projects focused on modern relationships.

Kristen Bell

Kristen Bell is roughly 5 feet 1 inch tall. She voiced Anna in Disney’s ‘Frozen’ and led ‘The Good Place’ on television. Earlier work like ‘Veronica Mars’ drew a devoted following and returned with a revival. Bell produces and hosts podcasts and wellness initiatives alongside acting.

Jenna Ortega

Jenna Ortega is about 5 feet 1 inch. She achieved a breakout with the title role in ‘Wednesday’, which set streaming records. Ortega also stars in the modern installments of ‘Scream’ and in projects such as ‘X’. She began in family television and moved into horror and dark comedy as a young adult.

Maisie Williams

Maisie Williams stands near 5 feet 1 inch. She became widely recognized for Arya Stark in ‘Game of Thrones’. Williams branched into film with ‘The New Mutants’ and into fashion and tech entrepreneurship. She appears in British television dramas and international co productions.

Vanessa Hudgens

Vanessa Hudgens is approximately 5 feet 1 inch tall. She first gained attention with ‘High School Musical’ and later shifted into stage and film work. Credits include ‘Spring Breakers’ and ‘Tick, Tick… Boom!’. Hudgens performs on Broadway and in live televised musicals such as ‘Grease Live’.

Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu is about 5 feet 3 inches. She starred in ‘Ally McBeal’ and led network television again in ‘Elementary’. Film highlights include ‘Kill Bill’ and ‘Charlie’s Angels’. Liu is also a visual artist with exhibits in major cities and has directed episodes across multiple series.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder stands near 5 feet 3 inches. She earned Oscar nominations for ‘Little Women’ and ‘The Age of Innocence’. Her return to mainstream prominence came with ‘Stranger Things’. Ryder’s early work in ‘Heathers’ and ‘Edward Scissorhands’ remains widely referenced.

Awkwafina

Awkwafina is roughly 5 feet 1 inch tall. She won a Golden Globe for ‘The Farewell’, a historic first for an Asian American woman in that category. She appears in ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ and ‘Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’. Her television work includes ‘Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens’.

Rachel Zegler

Rachel Zegler is about 5 feet 2 inches. She made her film debut in ‘West Side Story’ with a lead role. Zegler followed with ‘The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes’ and stars in Disney’s ‘Snow White’. She also records music and performs at major live events.

Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere stands around 5 feet 0 inches. She became known for ‘Heroes’ and later headlined the country music drama ‘Nashville’. Panettiere appears in the recent ‘Scream’ entries and has voice roles in animation and video games. She supports ocean conservation and domestic violence advocacy.

Kristin Chenoweth

Kristin Chenoweth is approximately 4 feet 11 inches tall. She won a Tony Award for ‘You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown’ and an Emmy for ‘Pushing Daisies’. Chenoweth’s film and television roles pair with a prolific concert career. She originated Glinda on Broadway in ‘Wicked’ and frequently returns to the stage.

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria is about 5 feet 2 inches. She rose to international fame with ‘Desperate Housewives’. Longoria directs and produces across film and television and launched a feature directorial debut with a sports drama. She is active in philanthropy and political advocacy focused on Latino communities.

Zoë Kravitz

Zoe Kravitz stands near 5 feet 2 inches. She starred in ‘Big Little Lies’ and led the series ‘High Fidelity’. Film roles include Catwoman in ‘The Batman’ and parts in franchises like ‘Fantastic Beasts’. Kravitz also records music and directs, expanding her work behind the camera.

Share your favorite performances from these actresses in the comments and tell us who else you would add to the list.